Action Jackson sparks Athletics
Jackson Webster is prepared to take on a bigger role with the St. Catharines WMKL Athletics this season.
The 20-year-old Georgetown native found it difficult to get meaningful minutes on a veteran-laden A’s squad which won an Ontario championship last season, but this year is already seeing more floor time and contributing.
Webster had a goal and six assists Wednesday as the Athletics topped the Brampton Excelsiors 13-9 at Canada Games Park to run their Ontario Junior Lacrosse League record to 2-0.
“Last year I was happy to do whatever I could do and I’m still happy to do whatever, and if I have to fill a leadership role, that’s awesome,” Webster said. “There were a lot of great lacrosse players last year and again this year, so any guy can fill any role, top to bottom.”
Webster now has 11 points in the A’s first two games.
“It was awesome,” Webster said of his outburst. “It was a little bit of a stalemate and some stops and fighting with some posts, but it was really nice.”
Webster, who attends Canisus College, has caught the eye of A’s coach Steve Toll.
“He’s going to have to provide leadership for sure and do a lot of those things,” Toll said, when asked if Webster would be counted on for more offence this season. “He was fighting it early but he got one there.
“He knows he’s a veteran on this team and he’s doing all the things we’re asking of him.”
Webster loves playing in the A’s new home.
“It’s awesome, especially coming off a provincial championship last year with all those guys and a lot of young guys got to watch them growing up and to come here and establish a new legacy, it’s awesome.
“It’s super exciting.”
The A’s led 5-4 after one period and 10-6 after two.
“There were times I really liked the ball movement on offence,” Toll said. “We were sharing the ball and everyone was getting chances. Defensively, when we played the system, I thought we looked really good at times.
“Obviously, there were some positives. They were a couple of loose balls and a couple of things we have to mop up, but second game of the year with a lot of new players, so we’re fine.”
Toll is well aware there will be a steep learning curve at times for his young charges.
“We have a lot of guys learning the system and getting to know each other so it’s only going to get better from there,” he said.
STATS PACK
Athletics 13 Excelsiors 9
WMKL Player of the Game: A’s Jackson Webster with a goal and six assists.
St. Catharines Athletics: Webster; Tye Steenhuis (5-3); Xavier Taylor (3-2); Efrain Barreto (1-4); Clayton Scanlon (1-3); Mavryk Gatt (1-2); Keaton Zavitz (1-2).
Brampton Excelsiors: Cameron Sterritt 3; Liam Steele 2; Bowie Horsman 2; Jermey Fancett, Logan Donnelly.
Game stats: Shots on goal: By St. Catharines on Caleb Slinger (45), by Brampton on Austin Paddy, Oliver Vanyo (50).
Up next: The A’s visit Six Nations Monday at 4 p.m. and host Toronto Beaches Wednesday, May 25.
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